TWELFTH GENERATION - Thomas Spicer

He immigrated about 1638. He died on 4 Nov 1658
in Gravesend, Long Island, New York State.

He was married 1st to Ann GRANT on the 5 Feb 1626/7 at St. Mary's, Sandwich, Kent, England.1
[Diocese of Canterbury Marriage Licence - Thomas Spicer of Barfreston, and Ann
Grant of S. Mary's in Sandwich. At S. Mary's. Feb 4 1626.]2
Ann was buried on the 29 Sep 1635 at St. Peter's Sandwich, Kent.1

It would appear that Thomas and Ann were either using a church whose
parish registers are no longer extant or they were non-conformists such as
Quakers already. At this time Quakers were buried in their local Church of
England graveyard if the Quakers didn't have their own burial ground. This
would appear to be the case as there are no baptisms for Thomas & Ann's
children in Sandwich, but there are the burials in St. Peter Sandwich of
Ann and her "chrisome child" (i.e. unbaptised, meaning the child died soon
after birth. And also another possible child Martha buried there in 1634,
however no notation was made as to the age or parents.The lack of
baptisms for the children of Thomas & Ann can only give rise to the
reasonable speculation that Susanna was born to them in this period.

He was married 2nd to Michal JENKINS
nee WETHERLEY (Witherlie, Weatherly etc.) on the 7 Feb 1635/6 at St. Clements, Sandwich, Kent, England.1
[Diocese of Canterbury Marriage Licence - Thomas Spicer of S. Peter's in
Sandwich, maltster, widr., about 43, and Micoll Jenkins of S. Clement's in
Sandwich, w. of John Jenkins "sometimes of London". dec At S.
Clements. Feb 5 1635.]2

Whilst I haven't found any documentary proof linking Thomas Spicer of America
with Thomas Spicer of Kent, England, I feel that the circumstantial evidence is
overwhelming. Micall is a most unusual name for a woman, and for two Thomas
Spicer's to marry a woman of this name, in the exact time frame, is virtually
impossible. Also Thomas & Micall of Kent had a son Samuel baptised as below.
I have no hesitation is saying they are one and the same Thomas & Micall..

I would also like to make the point at this stage of saying, that Susannah
(who married. Henry Brasier / Breser) is not the daughter of Thomas & Micall
but of the first marriage between Thomas & Ann Grant. Susannah married in
1644, making it impossible that she was a daughter by the 2nd marriage in
1635/6. Therefore most published genealogies are wrong in ascribing Micall as
Susannah's mother instead of Ann Grant.

Thomas is first recorded settling at Newport, Rhode Island.

1639 - Admitted as an inhabitant of Newport.

30 Apr 1639 - Town of Portsmouth
We, whose names are under [written doe acknowledge] ourselves the legall
subjects of [his Majestie] King Charles, and in his name [doe hereby binde]
ourzelves into a civill body politicke, unto his lawes according to matters of
justice. Samuel Spicer (amongst 29 signaturies).['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pg.70.]

1639 - Town of Portsmouth
At a meeting held last Thursday (day & month not stated), it is
ordered, that no man shall sell his lot or offer it to ye boddy here
in Portsmouth.
It is ordered, that John Porter and Thomas Spicer shall [receive from ye]
inhabitants of ye lastly purchase meddows, theire monies for this
yeare, and bring it to ye [Towne].['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pg.71.]

1639 - Town of Portsmouth
At a quarter meeting of the first of ye 5th month, 1639.
[It is agreed], that every man that hath a house lott shall build upon the same
within one [yeare after, or] he loseth it.
Mr. Thomas Spicer and Robert Potter are chosen surveyors for ye
highways and ................... this, and in two, foure, or six dayes at
............. this, and ye 29 of 7th month next; or procure a man, he
............... day to ye surveyor, and the surveyors to [make
report to] ye Court at ye yeares end.
It is agreed upon, to call this town Portsmouth.['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pg.72.]

1639, 1st of the 8th month - Town of Newport
A catalogue of such [persons], who, by the Generall consent of the Company were
admitted to be Inhabytants of the Island now called Aqueedneck, having submitted
themselves to the Government that it shall be established, according to the
words of God therein.
Thomas Spicer (14th in list of names.)['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pgs.90, 91.]

12 Apr 1640 - Town of Newport
By Election
Item 9. It is ordered, that to the number of five men shall be chosen to lay out
the Lands belonging to the Towne of Portsmouth, and three for Nieuport.
Item 10. By order of the Courte, John Sanford, Adam Mott, Thomas Spicer, Richard
Burden, and Philip Shearman, are chosen to the service of laying out the Lands
for the Towne of Portsmouth.['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pgs.101, 102.]

16th Mar 1641 - Town of Newport
The Court Roll of Freeme, with the officers, as they were Elected on the 16th of
March, 1641.
Thomas Spicer (17th on the list)['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pg.110.]

16th & 17th March 1642 - Town of Newport
At the Generall Court of Election held on the 16th and 17th of March, att
Newport, 1642.
Mr. Thom. Spicer is chosen Threa'r of Portsmouth for one whole year, &c. (or
till a new be chosen).['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pg.120.]

As Thomas starts to appear in the New York
records in 1643 it would therefore appear that he moved from Rhode Island to
Long Island, New York with the party led by Lady Deborah Moody. She had
organized a party to settle a new community under guidance of theDutch
Colony of New Netherlands. She, with her fellow colonists moved to Long Island,
and started a settlement at a place named Gravesend, a name given it by the
Dutch Director Kieft.['Long Island Historical
Bulletin' April 1913]

Says Steyvesant in 1653 - "Elbert Elbertson and Thomas Spicer, from
Amersfoort, usurped their lands many years ago without any deed.......... They
are occupying such lands in said village fifteen to twenty years"['History of New Netherland' by E.B. O'Callaghan, V.1 pg.173. -
Hol. Doc. v.,398]

7 Jul 1644 (see next entry for relevance)
Declaration. Peter Jansen, that he was told by Mr. Middeler, on the river
Rappahanock in 1643, that the bark belonging to Mr. Throgmorton and Peter
Louwrens, was the property of Sir Edmund Pleydeon, Knt. Vol. II, pg.119[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of
State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch),
p.28]

8 Jul 1644
Court Proceedings. Mr. Moor vs. Mr. Spyser, in a case of attachment on a bark
belonging to Peter Lourensen and Mr. Trockmorton; Lourensen is condemned to
deliver the bark to Spicer agreeably to the power of attorney, on condition that
the latter give security for the value of the vessel, in case Mt. Moor hereafter
prove that the owner is indebted to him, when the money must be returned. Vol.
IV, pg. 193, 194.[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of
State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch),
p.89]

1645On December 10, 1645, Lady Moody, Sir
Henry Moody, Ensign George Baxter and Sergeant James Hubbard, with their
associates were granted a patent by Director Kieft. The settlers entered into an
agreement at Amersfoort with Lady Moody and her associates by which the town was
to be divided into 28 parts, each to receive a plantation lot, also a village
lot. - Lot 17 Thomas SpicerIn 1646 a new division was made, laying out
the town into 40 lots.- Lot 15 Thomas Spicer.
['Long Island Historical Bulletin' April 1913]

5-10 Jul 1646
Court proceedings. Examination of Thomas Gridy, of Devonshire, Eng; a prisoner
accused of having stolen silver ware and other articles, and of having
endeavoured to entice John Jones and others to steal; prisoner remanded.
Declaration of Maria Roberts, that John Jones had bought shirts, that had been
stolen from Spicer, to her house, and that her husband, Thomas Gridy, had
received them. 6 Jul 1646. Confession of Thomas Gridy, that he had received
stolen goods, and had solicitored others to rob, but denies that he stole silver
ware; wherefore, he continues obstinate in such denial; ordered that he be
subjected to torture. 10 Jul 1646. Sentence. Thomas Gridy aforesaid, to be
conveyed to the place of execution, and publically whipped, and then banished
the county forever.
Vol. IV, pg.263-4. [Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of
State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch),
p.103]

17 Dec 1646
Court Proceedings. Thomas Spicer v. Thomas Sanderson; plaintiff complains that
defendant keeps him out of his land, threatens his life, abuses him as a rogue
and villain, and shot one of his goats; court decrees that the first time Thomas
Spicer, or any of the neighbours, is insulted, defendant shall be banished from
the Plain; the damages complained of to be assessed by arbitrators.
Vol. IV, pg. 278, 279.

13 May 1653 -
Jacob Couwenhoven sold a tract at Flatlands to Thomas Spicer. Sold by his widow
to Coert Stevense (Van Voorhees).

11 Dec 1653 - At a Convention called by the
Burgomasters of New Amsterdam, a remonstrance was signed by all members of the
convention. The delegates from Flatbush whose names are attached to it were
"Elbert Elbertson and Thomas Spicer" [http://longislandgenealogy.com/histflat.html]

15 Oct 1654
Mortgage. Henry Breser, of his house, a lot and garden, on the Island of
Manhattans, as collateral security to Thomas Spicer and Thomas Hall, for a bond
signed by them. Vol. III, pg. 123.[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of
State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch),
p.57]

Will dated 30 Sep 1658, Gravesend.
Proved 4 Nov 1658.
Wife Michall, son Samuel heirs and executors of all the estate apart from the
following legacies :-
To Ann Lake (daughter), wife of John Lake, 60 guilders, for the benefit
of her three children.
To Susannah Brasier (daughter), wife of Henry Brasier, 80 guilders, for
her four children.
For mending the highway in the Lane to fort Ward, 40 guilders.
For fencing burial place, 20 guilders.
Gravesend Records, Liber 3, pg 112.

The most likely is the 1605 christening, the daughter of Markes
Graunte. I can only find two Markes Grauntes but cannot directly link them
to this one, however considering the rarity of the name I would say they
are connected :- - In the will of Nicholas Gawnte of Wotton in
1552 he names a son Markes. In Nicholas Spycer's will of 1607 he mentions
property in Nonington. A Markes family appears in the Nonington Parish
Registers in the mid 1500's suggecting that the Markes family and Spicer
family may have origins in the same parishes and hence knew or were
related to each other. - Christening of Marks Graunte, son
of William, on 30 Dec 1564 in Shoulden, just south of Sandwich.

2nd Marriage

Micah / Michal JENKINS on 5 Feb 1635/1636.
1st Marriage - John JENKINS & Michal WITHERLIE on 17 Jul 1622 in St. Olave,
Hart St., London, England.
There always
appears to be some confusion with her name, being so similar to the male
Michael, and she is often confused as such, and hence often named as
Thomas's son instead of his wife/widow. Some researchers say she died in 1663
in Kings, New York. However she is mentioned in the NY
manuscripts as late as 1675. Her name is most likely
derives from the Prophet Micah of Moresheth, and the Book of Micah from the Old
Testament.

June 1670
Memorandum that Mrs. Micah Spicer had made good her title to part of
Throckmorton’s or Spicer’s neck.
Vol.XXII, pg.102.[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of
State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.2
(English), p.5]

19 Jun 1671
Warrant to the Surveyor General to lay out for Micah Spicer, thirty acres of
land, with meadow in proportion, on Throgmorton’s neck, with assignment of the
said land, by Mrs. Spicer to Mathias Nicholls. Vol.XXII, pg.117.[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of
State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.2
(English), p.6]

8 Jun 1675
Judgment in the case of Michall Spicer, widow, agst. Robert Coe, at the
Sessions, at Jamaica, L.I., with bill of costs.
Vol.XXIV, pg.110.[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec.
of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.2
(English), p.36]

20 Apr 1678
Flatlands Town Records, Deeds, Misc. - conveyance by Jan Maertense to his
brother, Roeleff Maertense, of a house lot which he had owned for several years,
located in Amsfort between Elbert Elbertse and Roeleff Maertense and derived
from its former owner, Michal Spicer.['The Washington ancestry ...' by Charles Arthur Hoppin 1932,
pg.149]

It would appear that Micah and her
son Samuel became Quakers, and were persecuted by the local Dutch
authorities. This is
somewhat ironic as Thomas originally settled on Long Island, after
removing from Rhode Island with a group of others, because R.I.
was too puritan.